Blog

  • Ticket Sales are Live! Get Ready to Join us in May!

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    Tickets Now Available!

    Our General Ticket Sale officially opened on March 7th.

    These tickets are first-come, first-served, so we recommend being ready when the link goes live. If you miss the March 7th sale and they sell out, don’t panic! There will be a second batch of tickets available on March 25th. Prices remain $75 for adults and $1 for children under 13.


    Art Grant determinations

    The IFArt Grant Committee has officially finished reviewing this year’s submissions. All determination letters have been sent via email to the primary contact for each project.

    That letter will explain whether your project was fully funded, partially funded, or not selected this year. Please check your inbox (and your spam folder!) for your official notification. If you haven’t received an email, please reach out to ifart@midwestburners.org so we can look into it for you.

    Deadline to accept your offer is March 23rd!


    Seeking a (Paid) Medic Lead

    While our First Aid department handles the day-to-day scrapes and minor needs, we are currently seeking licensed professionals for our Paid Medic positions. If you are an EMT, Paramedic, Nurse, or have some related certification, and are looking to support the community in a professional capacity while on the land, we want to hear from you.

    These roles are vital to our safety infrastructure and ensure we have high-level care available around the clock. Please contact star@midwestburners.org for more information on requirements and compensation.


    Applications & Registrations for 2026

    It’s time to get your plans on (digital) paper! We have several forms live across two different platforms. Please ensure you are using the correct link for your specific needs:


    Volunteer Portal (VP) Forms

    Log in to your Volunteeripate profile to access these:

    • Abilitease: For those needing accessibility support or accommodations.
    • The Beacon Scholarship Application: First-time BiPoC attendee ticket requests.
    • Leadership Exchange: For leads from other regions interested in knowledge exchange.
    • Art Car Registration: Get your mutant vehicle cleared for the land.
    • Vehicle Camping: Reserve your space for on-site vehicle camping.
    • Ranger Training: Get training to be able to sign up to walk the perimeter and support the community.
    • Sanctuary Volunteer Application: Apply to help provide a safe harbor for participants.

    Google Forms

    These forms do not require a VP login and are found at the google forms links attached:


  • Last Chance for Direct Volunteer Tickets and Almost Time for Our Main Ticket Sale!

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    Direct Ticket Offers Expire March 6th!

    If you earned a Direct Ticket Offer (DTO) through your volunteer hours last year, this is your final reminder! All DTOs are set to expire on March 6th.

    Please check your inbox for your unique link and complete your purchase before the deadline. After March 6th, any unclaimed DTO tickets will be released back into the general pool for the main sale. Don’t leave your guaranteed spot on the table!

    For both ticket sale types, as well as forms for various requests and submissions, you will need a Volunteeripate account!


    Main Tickets On Sale Starting March 7th

    For those who didn’t receive a DTO, the wait is almost over. Our General Ticket Sale will officially open on March 7th.

    These tickets are first-come, first-served, so we recommend being ready when the link goes live.

    If you miss the March 7th sale and they sell out, don’t panic! There will be a second batch of tickets available on March 25th. Prices remain $75 for adults and $1 for children under 13.

    For both ticket sale types, as well as forms for various requests and submissions, you will need a Volunteeripate account!


    DUST App returns!

    By popular demand, we are using the DUST app and website again this year to host our digital WhatWhereWhen guide.

    Please note that the initial process remains the same: all submissions for camp registration and placement approval must still go through Volunteeripate. Once your camp has been officially approved, it will be ported over to DUST, where camp leads can then manage their specific details and event schedules directly. This tool is the easiest way to keep track of theme camp events, workshops, and art installations across the community!


    2026 Updated Survival Guide is Live

    Radical Self-Reliance starts long before you arrive at the gate. We have officially released the new and improved 2026 Survival Guide, and it is recommended reading for everyone, from first-year burn-gins to ten-year vets.

    We’ve overhauled several sections, including updated departments like First Aid (formerly Medic) and new insights on site-specific logistics. Staying informed is the best way to ensure you and your campmates have a safe and successful burn.

    Please keep in mind that the Survival Guide is a living document and will always be in flux as our community grows and our needs change. If you see something that needs a tweak or have a suggestion to make it better, please feel free to leave a comment!


  • Some Department Updates and a New AI Policy!

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    Some Department Updates

    Medic Is Now First Aid!

    You’ll notice a name change on the signs this year!
    Our Medic department is officially rebranding to First Aid. This change better reflects the scope of care provided on-site and aligns with our focus on providing immediate, peer-level support for minor injuries and health needs. Rest assured, you’ll still find the same dedicated volunteers ready to help keep you patched up and safe.


    Sanctuary Updates

    For those new to the community, our those who just haven’t needed the service yet, we want to highlight the Sanctuary department.

    What do they do? Sanctuary provides a safe, quiet, and supportive space for participants who may be feeling overwhelmed, overstimulated, or having a difficult psychological experience. It is a non-judgmental environment staffed by compassionate volunteers who are there to listen and hold space. Whether you just need a break from the noise or a supportive presence to help you ground yourself, Sanctuary is there for you.


    Safety Shifts are LIVE!

    If you are looking to get your volunteer hours locked in early, now is the time! All safety volunteer shifts are officially live. If you’re ready to join the ranks of First Aid, Ranger, Sanctuary, Perimeter, FAST, Conclave, and Sound Marshal, head over to Volunteeripate now to claim your spot.

    For all other departments, hang tight! The rest of the volunteer schedule will be released in March, coinciding with our general ticket sales.


    IMP Department and Photography

    A quick reminder that the IMP (Information, Media, and Propaganda) department isn’t just about the InfoBot and blog posts, they are also the stewards of our event’s visual history. This department includes our Photography volunteers who help document the magic of our community.

    When you see someone with an official IMP lead badge or camera tag, know that they are working to capture the event while respecting our community’s unique privacy needs.


    New: Interfuse AI Policy

    Interfuse has established a policy regarding Generative AI Art in an official capacity:

    • Interfuse Supports Human Artists. We believe art is a gift from the human experience, and that art is what makes us human. In keeping with Radical Self-Reliance, Interfuse will not use AI-generated art for official posters, logos, or promotional materials.
    • In the spirit of Leave No Trace, we cannot ignore the staggering environmental impact of generative AI. The massive energy and water consumption required to train and run these models contradicts our commitment to being stewards of the earth.
    • Photography & Privacy: We value authentic captures of our shared moments. You can rest assured that any photos our department takes will be handled with the utmost care; they will never be fed into AI generators or which, when delivering art, simultaneously train machine learning models.
    • We reserve the right to ask for proof of creation (such as sketches, layered files, or process shots) for any work submitted to Interfuse if AI use is suspected.
    • Reference vs. Creation: We understand that it is increasingly difficult to escape AI when searching the internet for reference or stock photos. However, any work submitted to the Org must be predominantly personally created. While you may use references for inspiration, the final output must be the result of your own hand and creative process.
    • Any lead or volunteer found using AI generators for official organizational art or assets will be penalized, potentially up to and including being stripped of their position. We choose to invest in the hands, hearts, and hard work of our actual community members. We want to see your art, not a machine’s approximation of it.

    These policies are new and ever evolving!